Short is the officer who handcuffed and arrested two high school football referees at a game on between Mandeville and St. Paul's on Oct. 11. Witnesses said Short got into an argument with the officials after the referees asked him for help moving fans away from the field.

Short arrested the two referees for public intimidation. Later, the St. Tammany District Attorney's Office announced it would not pursue charges. The City of Covington and Covington Police Department launched an investigation into the incident.

Former Covington Police Department Patrolman Andy Northcutt told the WDSU I-Team that he chose to come forward about his own encounter with Short after hearing about the referee arrests.

In fall of 2009, Northcutt was under investigation by the department. Police reports obtained by the I-Team show that investigation began after police got a tip about a domestic incident involving Northcutt and his then girlfriend. Investigators later learned the couple wrestled after Northcutt found prescription pills in her possession, according to documents.

Photographs showed bruises on her arms. Northcutt admits he got himself into a bad situation.

"Everybody is human and you learn from your mistakes but you learn not to make the mistake (again)," said Northcutt.

Then Covington Police Chief Richard Palmisano fired Northcutt following the investigation. The termination letter cited the domestic incident as a primary reason for Northcutt's firing.

Northcutt got on with his life and tried to put the episode behind me. He is now talking to the WDSU I-Team, hoping for change at the Covington Police Department.

The WDSU I-Team obtained audio captured by Short's pocket recorder during an Oct. 13, 2009 incident. Records from the investigation show Short and a fellow sergeant went to the girlfriend's residence on Live Oak Road just southwest of Folsom, La.

The two detectives went to ask Northcutt's girlfriend questions about a letter Northcutt kept in his vest, and had given to her. The letter was to be read if Northcutt was ever killed in the line of duty.

However, Live Oak Road is 14 miles outside of the Covington city limit. In fact, it is outside of St. Tammany Parish entirely. Multiple records obtained by the I-Team show the detectives never notified Tangipahoa Parish law enforcement that they were entering their area.

Mike Cahn, a former NOPD SWAT Commander with decades of law enforcement experience, said such a visit is highly unusual.

"When we got into that area we would notify the parish's headquarters or dispatch 911 center that we're in that area," described Cahn. "'Could you please send a car over to meet me at this location where we are going to conduct an interview?'"

The audio features Short and Northcutt's girlfriend arguing over her handing over the letter:

Girlfriend: "I don't understand how that's part of the criminal investigation."Short: "And here's the thing, I don't need you to understand. Are you telling me 'no,' you're not going to give it to me?"

Short eventually read the girlfriend her Miranda rights and said he was taking her into custody:

Short: "I'm not trying to intimidate you, I'm taking you into custody, honey. That's not intimidation."

"They should have served a search warrant on the house, they should not have coerced the individual into feeling like if she didn't give them the letter, she was going to jail," said Cahn.

Northcutt was in the home when his girlfriend began talking with the two detectives. Northcutt came outside after about 20 minutes, according to the audio recording. Short asked Northcutt to leave so the detectives could finish questioning the girlfriend. Northcutt said he didn't want and tempers flared:

Northcutt: "Put handcuffs on me, Steve [Short]."Short: "Turn around and put your hands behind your back."Northcutt: "[To girlfriend] Get your dad to come up here right now, he's on the phone."Short: "You Andy..."Northcutt: "You're out of your jurisdiction."Short: "No, I have jurisdiction anywhere inside the state of Louisiana."

The I-Team talked to multiple law enforcement sources, who said Short's actions were irregular at best.

"If you're not commissioned throughout the entire state or you don't have a state commission like the State Police, then your arrest powers are nothing more than the average citizen in a different parish," said Cahn.

When Northcutt asked Short what he would be charged with, Short said obstruction. Short later said he detained Northcutt because of "officer safety." Northcutt was never arrested and later released following the incident.

WDSU contacted Covington police to comment on the matter. Newly appointed Chief Tim Lentz said it would be unfair for him to comment since the incident happened in 2009. He said he could not comment on Short's work history because of the incident at the football game.

The I-Team also obtained Short's personnel file through a public records request. In it, were records of two suspensions, in 1995 and 2001. There were also letters of reprimand dating back over his two decades at the department. They all came under former Chief Jerome DiFranco; none came once Chief Richard Palmisano took office in 2007.

A Civil Service hearing focused on Northcutt's dismissal examined what happened that night. Northcutt's termination was upheld. No action was taken against Short in the matter.

The probes into the incident at St. Paul's High School remain open. Short remains on duty and has not been disciplined for his handling of the situation.